Hidden Water Damage Signs: What to Look For in Older Colorado Springs Homes

Colorado Springs is rich with history, boasting beautiful older homes with character, charm, and unique architecture—from the Victorian-era houses near downtown to mid-century properties in the Broadmoor area. While these homes are treasures, they often come with aging infrastructure that makes them particularly vulnerable to subtle, hidden water damage.

Unlike a burst pipe, which is an obvious emergency, hidden leaks can silently rot wood, damage foundations, and fuel dangerous mold growth over months or even years.

At Colorado Water and Mold Restoration, we specialize in detecting and restoring damage in older properties. Here are the crucial, hidden signs of water damage that every owner of an older Colorado Springs home should be vigilant for.

1. The Mysterious Rise in Your Water Bill

This is often the clearest, non-visual sign of a hidden leak. If your water usage habits haven't changed but your monthly bill suddenly spikes and remains high, it's a strong indicator that water is running somewhere it shouldn't be.

• Common Culprits: Leaking toilet flappers, slow drips inside a wall (often from old galvanized pipes), or an undetected leak in the main service line running beneath your yard.

2. Peeling Paint, Bubbling Wallpaper, or Sagging Drywall

In older homes, layers of paint or thick wallpaper can mask developing problems for a long time. However, water will eventually win.

• What to Look For:

  • Peeling/Flaking Paint: Water pushing through plaster or drywall causes paint to lose adhesion and peel away, often near the ceiling, baseboards, or windows.

  • "Blistering" or Bubbling: The material beneath the finish is wet and expanding.

  • Soft Spots: Gently press on drywall, especially in basements or near fixtures. If it feels soft, spongy, or gives easily, the inner layers are saturated.

3. Efflorescence on Basement Walls and Foundations

Older Colorado Springs homes often feature basements with foundations made of stone, block, or concrete that may lack modern waterproofing.

• What It Is: Efflorescence is a white, powdery, or crystalline deposit you see on concrete or masonry surfaces. It's the residue of mineral salts left behind after water has seeped through the material and then evaporated.

• The Warning: While efflorescence itself isn't water damage, its presence is irrefutable proof that moisture is penetrating your foundation, creating a continuous source of water and high humidity that leads to rot and mold.

4. Musty, Dank, or Earthy Odors

If you walk into your basement, crawl space, or even a specific room and notice a persistent "old house smell" that is damp or earthy, it's a huge red flag.

• The Source: This odor is typically the gases released by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) produced by mold and mildew. If you smell it, water damage is already present and feeding fungal growth in a hidden cavity (like behind a wall, under flooring, or in ductwork).

5. Warped or Buckling Flooring

Water will cause wood and composite materials to expand and distort.

• Signs on Wood Floors: Look for boards that are cupping (edges higher than the center) or crowning (center higher than the edges), separating at the seams, or dark, stained spots that won't clean up.

• Signs on Vinyl/Laminate: Bubbling, peeling, or edges lifting up from the subfloor indicate moisture rising from below. This is common around toilets, under sinks, and near water heaters.

6. Ceiling Stains That Aren’t Always Obvious

Forget the classic brown ring. In older homes with textured ceilings, water stains can sometimes look like subtle discoloration or an unusual wave or ripple in the texture itself.

• Specific Culprits: Leaky plumbing from an upstairs bathroom, a roof leak, or an issue with the condensation line for the HVAC unit located in the attic or utility closet.

Don't Wait: The Hidden Costs of Waiting

Ignoring these subtle indicators in your older Colorado Springs home is the most costly mistake you can make. What starts as a small leak can quickly compromise structural beams, destroy hardwood floors, and necessitate expensive mold remediation.

If you notice any of these hidden signs, contact Colorado Water and Mold Restoration immediately. We have the advanced moisture detection tools to find the hidden source of the water damage and the local expertise to restore your charming Colorado Springs home back to its dry, safe, and beautiful condition.